Saint Emilion & satellites

Simply delicious Bordeaux from the talented young Mathieu Ternault. A recent visit reminded us of the immense quality of the work he is doing here at this well placed family estate. As we stood in front of the winery loo...(read more)

Château Tour du Moulin is an old estate, revived in 1987 by Josette Dupuch and her son Vincent. Vincent is a highly respected consultant oenologist who is well known for working at some of the biggest name Right Ba...(read more)

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Always a charmer. Lovely cranberry nose. Then some weight on the palate with an attractive rich fruit. Spritely acidity. Drying tannins at the end. This a cracking wine from Côtes de...(read more)

75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 40% new oak. The Merlot was picked in the first week of October. Attractive nose of dark fruit and wood. Lovely smooth entry - the fruit is precise and the tannins b...(read more)

This lovely youthful cuvee demonstrates good rounded acidity with subtle notes of blackcurrant, cedar wood and black plum. Its mid-bodied mouthfeel would partner any good game bird dish or a more classic red meat roast o...(read more)

A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 Montlandrie has a deep garnet-purple color. It is slightly closed to start, needing some patient swirling to bring out notes of black and red...(read more)

The 2019 L'Hêtre lacks a little cohesion on the nose, slightly minty black fruit laced with cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. Maybe this suffers a little over-extraction, though I appreciate t...(read more)

The 2019 Les Chênes de Macquin is a terrific second wine. Creamy and racy in the glass, Les Chênes captures all the personality of the Grand Vin, naturally in miniature. Rose petal, lavender, spice and mint a...(read more)

From a 13-hectare vineyard located north and west of the village of Saint-Emilion, the 2016 Château Corbin (83% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc aged in 50% new oak) showed beautifully in all my tastings. Its dee...(read more)

The 2020 Bellefont Belcier has a fine bouquet that's quite backward at first, later unfurling with blackberry, espresso and light leather scents. There's some attractive Cabernet Franc here. The palate is medium-bodied w...(read more)